Auxiliary signal system.



L.DEGEN. AUXILIARY SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICAYION FILED MAY H, 917- l QHYMWFW Patnteul May 28,1918.

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LEWIS DEG-EN, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA.

AUXILIARY SIGNAL SYSTEM.

incense.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWISDESEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pasadena, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Auxiliary Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a signaling system especially adapted for sending and receiving fire alarms, and pertains particularly to a signal system having sub-Stations and auxiliary means located remote from the substation for actuating the Sub-station signal sending mechanism.

7 It is an object of this invention to provide means whereby a call indicating trouble in the auxiliary meansmay be sent over the wires which carry the fire alarm Signal, and whereby the alarm willbe received at the central station and identified as a trouble I have illustratedthe embodiment of my invention in the. accompanying diagrammatic drawing.

Referringmore particularly to the drawis indicated by 1.

ing, a sub-station box VVithin-the box is disposed a character wheel 2, and a" lever 8 cooperating therewith for opening and closing the main circuit. Lever 3 :is in contact with one member of a switch 1- which is disposed in series in the main circuit. The box may include the usual spring motor or anysuitable mechanism for rotating the character wheel. and also means for tripping the box and rendering the character wheel effectivein Sending; signals. The box mechanism is well known in the art, and as it does not form affeature of my invention it is not illustrated or described in detail herein. i

The terminals of switch 4 are connected by conductors 5 and 6 to binding posts 7 and 8. Binding posts 7 and 8 are connected by conductors 9 and 10 to posts 11 and 12. The main line wires 13 and 14 are connected to posts 11 and 12, and extend to the central station. Suitable signal receiving apparatus is located at the central station.

The apparatus shown herein is of simple Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 11, 1917. Serial No. 167,910.

form,but may be elaborated upon to provide all of the apparatus which is commonly used at such central station. It is essential that there be a battery 15 which is a source of current for the main line, a sensitive relay 16 and a non-sensitive relay17. The sensitive relay 16 controls a circuit 18 having therein apparatus for receiving trouble calls. The non-sensitive relay 17 controls a circuit 19 in which there is apparatus for receiving the fire alarm signals. a The circuit just described is one which is common in fire alarm systems. Normally the circuit is closed and the current flows therethrough. This current is usuallymaintained at about 100 milli-amperes. Upon opening the circuit the current Strengthfalls to zero, and

theJ-non-sensitive relay 17 is actuated causing the opening andclosing of the circuit 19 and actuation of the alarms signal receiving apparatus. a The signal sending mechanism is tripped by means of a trip lever 20 having a projection 21 which engages a recess in a wheel 22. The mechanism may be trippedin the box by pulling the lever 23, which is shown in section, thereby lifting the lever 20, raising the projection 21 out of the recess and permitting the wheel 22 to rotate: this starts the character wheel to rotating. The lever 20 is extended beyond its pivot point and its end is disposed in the path of a pin 24, which extends laterally from the worm wheel 25. Worm wheel 25 is engaged with a worm 26, the latter being fixed to a shaft 27. Shaft 27 is operated by a motor 28. The motor is controlled by an auxiliary system so that when it is set into operation the rotation of worm 26 will cause gear 25 to rotate and pin 24 to contact lever 20, lifting the latter and tripping the box. a

Shunted across the switch 4 of the signal sending mechanism is a carbon resistance 29. One terminal of the resistance is connected to binding post 7, and the other terminal to one side 30 of a switch. The movable blade of the switch is connected to binding post 8. When the switch is closed the resistance 29 is shunted across the switch 4.; WVhen the carbon resistance 29 is shunted across the switch 4 the opening and closmg of the switch will cause a variation 111 current flow,

and the resistances are so adjusted that the currentflow will vary from 90 to 100 milliamperes. r

A pivoted armature 31 has one end in contact with the movable blade of switch so that its movement will make and break the shunt circuit. A two pole relay is provided to actuate the armature 31.

, the circuit that when energized the arma ture 31 will be lifted opening switch 30, thereby opening the shunt circuit. The pole 33 is so wound that when energized it will attract armature 31 and close the switch 30, thereby closing the shunt circuit.-

' One terminal of pole winding 32 and one terminal of pole winding 33 are joined and connected by conductor 34 to one terminal of motor 28. One terminal'of the pole winding'32 is connected by a conductor 35 to the positive side of anauxiliary battery.- One terminal of pole winding 33 is connected by'a conductor 36110 the positive side of auxiliary battery. A terminal of motor 28 is connected by a conductor 37 to the nega-' tive side of the auxiliary battery. Conductor '37 is a common return for current I flowing in conductors 35 and 36'.

Current for sending in a fire alarm from the auxiliary system passes through conducmally held open by current flowing in the circuit. I

1 If switch 42is closed the resistance in circuit with conductor 36 is reduced; and increased current flows through pole winding v 33', through motor 28, and back to the negative side of the battery. Energization of magnet winding 33 causes the armature 31 to move and close'the switch 30 and the shunt" circuit across the signal sending means, and place the carbon resistance 29 in shunt across switch 4. At' the same time current flowing'through niotor'28 causes the latter to start and tripTthe box. The switch 4 opens a'n'd closes the main circuit, the current varying from-90 to 100 milli -amperes'. Such variation of current hell not effect the non-sensitive relaybut'does' effect the sensitive relay: therefore, circuit 18 is opened The winding of one pole 32 is so arranged 111 and closed, thereby indicating on the signal mechanism associated therewith that there is trouble at the sub-station 1.

Assuming that the auxiliary circuit is in normal condition, switch 42 being open: switch 39 is now closed; the resistance in circuit with conductor 35 will be decreased and current will flow through pole winding 32 energizing the latter. This causes armature 31 to lift and the movable blade of switch 30 to open placing the carbon resistance 29 out of circuit. Current also flows along the common return through motor 28 and conductor 37 to the negative pole of .the battery. This causes the motor armature to rotate, thereby rotating gear 25 and tripping the signal sending mechanism; switch 4 opens and closes the circuit, and the nonsensitive relay is effected by variation of current from zero to 100 milli-amperes; circuit 19 is opened-and closed at the central station and a tire alarm indicated on the receiving mechanism.

Relay switches 39 and 42 in the auxiliary mechanism are actuated in the following manner: A magnet 43 controls the switch 42 and has a winding which is in circuit with a switch 44 and battery 45, and magnet winding 46. Switch 39 is controlled by a magnet 46 having a magnet winding connected in series with the magnet winding 43, switch 44 and battery 45. Switch 44 does not open and close the circuit but bridges a resistance 47. Normally there is current flowing through the magnet windings 43 and 46, the circuit being normally closed. When the switch 44 is closed the resistance of the circuit is decreased and suflicient current flows to cause the closure of switch 39. This trips the sub-station mechanism to send in a fire alarm.

If a break in wiring occurs in the auxiliary local circuit, magnet 43 will be deenergized and switch 42 will close due to the tension spring connectedthereto, thereby tripping the box and shunting the carbon resistance 39 across the switch A trouble call will then be sent over the mainline.

*I have shown particular mechanism for operating the two pole relay in the substation box. I have shown this mechanism merely for the purpose of illustrating the invention. Automatic devices of various kinds may be substituted and the auxiliary circuit changed to suit circumstances.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a signaling system, the combination of a normally closed main circuit extending from a central exchange, said main circuit including a source of current, non-sensitive signal receiving apparatus, sensitive signal receiving apparatus, and a sub-station; signal sending means at said sub-station for opening and closing the circuit, whereby the non sen'sitive receiving apparatus is'efl'ective: a shunt c1rcu1t disposed across said signal sending means including a resistance and switch means for opening and closing said shunt circuit: and automatic means to operate said switch means.

2. In a signaling system, the combination of a normally closed main circuit extending from a central exchange, said main circuit including a source of current, non-sensitive signal receiving apparatus, sensitive signal receiving apparatus, and a sub-station; signal sending means at said sub-station for opening and closing the circuit, whereby the non-sensitive receiving apparatus is effective; a shunt circuit disposed across said signal sending means including a resistance and switch means for opening and closing said shunt circuit: and automatic means to operate said switch means and to render said signal sending means effective.

3. In a signaling system, the combination of a normally closed main circuit extending from a central exchange, said main circuit including a source of current, non-sensitive signal receiving apparatus, sensitive signal receiving apparatus, and a sub-station; signal sending means at said sub-station for opening and closing the circuit, whereby the non-sensitive receiving apparatus is eifective: a shunt circuit disposed across said signal. sending means including a resistance and switch means for opening and closing said shunt circuit: an auxiliary circuit including electro-motor means to operate said switch means, and means for controlling the actuation of said electromotor toeither open or close said switch means.

4. In a signaling system, the combination of a normally closed main circuit extending from a central exchange, said main circuit including a source of current, non-sensitive signal receiving apparatus, sensitive signal receiving apparatus, and a sub-station; signal sending means at said sub-station for opening and closing the circuit, whereby the non-sensitive receiving apparatus is eifective: a shunt circuit disposed across said signal sending means including a resistance and switch means for opening and closing said shunt circuit: an auxiliary circuit including electro-motor means to operate said switch means and having three wires so connected that current flowing through one of said wires will operate said electro-motor to open said shunt circuit, and current flowing through another wire will operate said electromotor to close said shunt circuit.

5. In a signaling system, the combination of a normally closed main circuit extending from a central exchange, said main circuit including a source of current, non-sensitive signal receiving apparatus, sensitive signal receiving apparatus, and 'a sub-station; sigawn-sensitive receiving apparatus is effective: a shunt circuit disposed across said sig- .nal sending means including a resistance and switch means for opening and closing saidshunt c1rcu1t: electromotor means to operate said switch means so as to closeor open said shunt circuit, an auxiliary circuit including the aforesaid electromotor means and a trip electromotor to render said signal sending means effective, said auxiliary circuit having three wires so connected that current flowing through one of said wires will operate said electromotor means to open said shunt circuit and current flowing through another wire will operate said electromotor means to close said shunt circuit, said trip electromotor being in circuit with the third wire so as to be operated by a flow of current in either of said other wires.

6. In a signaling system, the combination of a normally closed main circuit extending from a central exchange, said main circuit including a source of current, non-sensitive signal receiving apparatus, sensitive signal receiving apparatus, and a sub-station; signal sending means at said sub-station for opening and closing said main circuit, whereby the non-sensitive receiving apparatus is efiiective: a shunt circuit disposed across said signal sending means including a resistance and switch means for opening and closing said shunt circuit: a two pole relay for operating said switch, one winding thereof when energized causing said switch to open and the other winding thereof when energized causing said switch to be closed, an auxiliary circuit including said relay and having three wires, one of said wires being a common return, said relay windings being so connected in said auxiliary circuit that on flow of current through one of said wires one winding will be energized and on flow of current through another the other winding of the relay will be energized.

7. In a signaling system, the combination of a normally closed main circuit extending from a central exchange, said main circuit including a source of current, non-sensitive signal receiving apparatus, sensitive signal receiving apparatus and a sub-station; signal sending means at said sub-station for opening and closing said main circuit wher by the non-sensitive receiving apparatus is effective: a shunt circuit disposed across said signal sending means including a resistance and switch means for opening and closing said shunt circuit: a two pole relay for operating said switch, one winding thereof when energized causing said switch to open and the other winding thereof when energized causing said switch to be closed, an auxiliary circuit including said relay and a trip eleetromotor to render said signal sendwinding of said relay will be energized, said 'ing' means efl'eotive, said auxiliary oincnit trip -.elec.tron1o.tor being in circuit with the 14) having three Wires, one being :a common are third wire so as to be operated by flow of turn, said Relay windings being so connected current in either of said other wires.

5 in said auxiliary circuit that on flow of In witness that I claim the foregoing I current through one of said Wires one Windhave hereunto subscribed my name this 23rd in-g Will be energized and on'fiow of current day of April, 1917. through another oi said wires the other LEWIS DEGEN.

.floplel ptthll eaten-t maybe obtained or Me .centu .each, by addressing the Commissioner 0! Patents,

' walhington, D. 0. 

